Identification of Chrysopidae species as potential biological control agents in banana agroecosystems in Costa Rica

Following the need for sustainable alternatives for pest control and the reduction of the excessive use of agrochemicals in agriculture, biological control is promoted as a solution to solve this problem within the framework of IPM. Biological control consists of the use of any living organism to control another organism that causes damage to an activity of human interest. Before carrying out any type of biocontrol, it is a priority to correctly identify the organism to work with, therefore the objective was to identify the species of the Chrysopidae family in a banana agroecosystem, which are potential agents for the control of the white scale Diaspis boisduvalii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Costa Rica. In January 2021, sampling was carried out in a banana plantation at EARTH University, Guácimo, Costa Rica. A total of 178 individuals were identified, by means of external and internal morphological characters; for the study of the genitalia, the apical region of the abdomen of the individuals was removed and then clarified with 10% KOH. For staining and preservation, a synthetic dye and glycerin were used, respectively. The identifications corresponded to eight species of the Chrysopidae family. The predominant species corresponded to Ceraeochrysa cincta (Mexico-Florida) representing 42%, followed by Leucochrysa lancala (25%), Ceraeochrysa smithi (22%), Ceraeochrysa everes (5%), Leucochrysa amazonica (4%), Leucochrysa sp2. (1%), Leucochrysa sp1. (0,5%) and Leucochrysa lateralis (0,5%) (first time reported in Costa Rica). Important morphological characteristics of each species were detailed with illustrations, which allowed the elaboration of a dichotomous key for their recognition.